CVE-2023-2414 in Online Booking & Scheduling Calendar Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2023
The Online Booking & Scheduling Calendar for WordPress by vcita plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the vcita_save_settings_callback function in versions up to, and including, 4.4.6. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with minimal permissions, such as a subscriber, to modify the plugins settings, upload arbitrary files, and inject malicious JavaScript (before 4.3.2).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2414 affects the Online Booking & Scheduling Calendar for WordPress plugin developed by vcita, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations. This issue stems from a fundamental failure in access control implementation within the plugin's codebase, specifically targeting the vcita_save_settings_callback function that handles administrative settings modifications. The flaw exists in plugin versions up to and including 4.4.6, making a substantial portion of WordPress deployments susceptible to exploitation by malicious actors who possess minimal user privileges. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it allows attackers with subscriber-level permissions to execute actions that should be restricted to administrators or users with elevated privileges, creating a significant vector for privilege escalation and persistent compromise of affected systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the absence of proper capability checks within the vcita_save_settings_callback function, which serves as the entry point for saving plugin configuration parameters. This missing authorization verification creates an access control bypass that enables authenticated users to manipulate plugin settings without proper authentication. According to CWE-284, this represents an inadequate access control mechanism where insufficient checks allow unauthorized modification of system resources. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to upload arbitrary files and inject malicious javascript code, particularly before version 4.3.2 where the issue was more pronounced. This capability enables attackers to establish persistent backdoors, deface websites, or redirect users to malicious domains, effectively compromising the entire WordPress installation and potentially the underlying server infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification, creating a comprehensive attack surface that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. An authenticated attacker with subscriber privileges can manipulate plugin configurations to inject malicious code that persists across system restarts and updates, creating a long-term foothold within the compromised environment. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which describes legitimate credentials use for persistence and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the existing subscriber account to gain elevated privileges through the plugin's insecure configuration. The ability to upload arbitrary files and execute javascript code provides attackers with multiple attack vectors including cross-site scripting attacks, server-side request forgery, and potential lateral movement within the network if the compromised WordPress installation has access to internal resources. Additionally, the compromised plugin settings can be used to redirect traffic, steal user credentials, or serve malware to visitors, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for businesses relying on the plugin for customer bookings and scheduling.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2414 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. The primary recommendation involves upgrading the affected plugin to version 4.3.2 or later, where the capability check has been implemented to properly validate user permissions before allowing settings modifications. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including monitoring for unauthorized plugin modifications, reviewing user permissions regularly, and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms, reinforcing the need for security-by-design principles in plugin development. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability, while maintaining regular security audits of installed plugins to identify and remediate similar authorization flaws. Given the ATT&CK framework's emphasis on credential compromise and privilege escalation, organizations should enhance their monitoring capabilities to detect suspicious user activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of maintaining updated security practices and regularly reviewing plugin security advisories to ensure comprehensive protection against known threats.